Pumpkin Patch Cuties

We had such a fun day at Lee's Farms today - fresh apple cider and donuts, animals and of course Pumpkins! My cutie pies!!!

PREPARE -

So I actually might start really using this blog and updating on a regular basis - time will tell of course - but this is my goal.

Thought for today -- if you live in Portland and haven't already been you MUST visit PENZEY SPICES - just opened next to Trader Joes in Beaverton. I just adore that shop and am inspired to cook yet again. This week tried three new spices and all were fab: FOXPOINT (awesome on veggies) BRADY STREET CHEESE SPRINKLE (fab on pasta) and OLD WORLD SEASONING on steak, yum! Added some sauteed mushrooms (of course) and some blue cheese to round out the superbness of it all.

What better to do on Christmas Day than go sledding - we went to the 'big hill' and Cole not surprisingly wanted to go by himself - Kate on the other hand always wanted me, Bryce or Uncle Karl with her - such the difference in personalities...it was so much fun going over the jumps - sometimes wiping, but just have fun and laughing and spending Christmas playing in the snow

We loved all of our moments with Nana and Papa!

Family pic on Christmas Eve

Great Grandma Dee and Papa Roy with their SIX great-grandkids!

SNOW much fun

Snow fun with Uncle Keith and Quinn Dog

Mommy and Kate went skating with our dear friends Sarah and Julia at Centennial Lakes - it was a lot of fun!

Taylor always wanted to be included in the snow action - she loved to be pulled in her sled and just jump around in the white stuff

Cole loved to be out on the rink, especially with his Uncle Keith -- this was the coldest day of our trip - and the warming house was closed, but he didn't seem to mind because he got to skate AND shoot pucks

WILD FANS

One of the highlights of our time in Minnesota was getting to attend FOUR MN Wild Games - all three kids just LOVED these and there were many extra special highlights including Cole getting to ride the zamboni (all my himself) at intermission and Kate and Cole getting to watch warms up from the PENALTY BOX before one game! GO CLUTTERBUCK!!!

Skating Fun

One of the things I love about MN - SKATING - Kaitlynn and I enjoyed an afternoon at Centennial Lakes with Sarah and Julia Mitchell.....chilly, but a fire and hot cocoa after warmed us right up!

Snow Bunnies

We are having so much fun in the snow!!!

King of the Hill

Lots of snow back here in MN - the kids are having fun climbing on the big drifts and piles.....

Kisses

Gigi gave Taylor a new baby doll for Christmas tonight - she is having fun toting her around and showering her with smooches - mmmmm --- ahhhhh as she says prior to each kiss!

My little girlies

Kaitlynn and Taylor looked so pretty in their matching dresses (from Gigi) at my annual Christmas Tea -- it was a lot of fun celebrating the Christmas season with friends - Taylor had so much fun she got into a candle and spilled red wax all over the dining room carpet - oh the joys!

A fun visit with Gigi

We have had a great time with our Gigi visiting this past week - lots of games played, shopping at Target and baking and cleaning!!!

Kaitlynn is 6.5

Behavior should be improving

Our friend 'Decaf' as the kids named him, finds a new spot to perch each night (after he magically flies back from the North Pole) - thanks to Kim for bringing him to our doorstep - the kids are SO excited each morning to scout his wherabouts.....

Breakfast monkeys

Wine Tasting

We enjoyed a fun day wine tasting with great friends and neighbors -- now ready for the Christmas season to hit full force!!!

Peterson Family Photos

http://gallery.me.com/elliephotography#100111&view=grid&bgcolor=black&sel=118

We just got the pics back from our family photos -- despite the 'attitudes' of the day they turned out okay....

Cole on ice

Cole all ready to skate - he is impressing us each week with his fearlessness, ambition and love for skating!

One more pic - some new village arrangements ---

Christmas Dec are up

So excited to have our house all festive - it is so cozy and I just love it! It took a week to get it all decorated with my littlest Elf helping so much -- done just in time to enjoy them for a full month!

Taylor's 1st Haircut

Taylor had her first haircut today at Little Clippers...she a bit of a trim to get rid of her 'tail' in the back and bring up a short layer in the back to bring out her curls -- she didn't want to sit by herself so instead sat in my lap -- she was very serious through the whole process, really taking each move in and not flashing her usual smile -- the best - she got spray glitter in her hair after!

The littlest trick or treater - but she had it down pat!

Taylor excited she got some loot - Ellie came along to help with T